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BCIS Issues Fact Sheet on E-Filing Initiative

AILA Doc No. 03052946 | Dated May 29, 2003

These fact sheets are available in both English and Spanish.Fact Sheet: E-Filing and other BCIS Services Online

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration ServicesEmbargoed until 11:30
(CDT)

May 29, 2003

Fact Sheet: E-Filing and other BCIS Services Online

Each year the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) receives
approximately seven million applications for immigration benefits. BCIS
has now developed the technology to accept electronic filing of certain
applications for immigration benefits. This technology improves both
customer service and BCIS’ ability to verify the identity of individuals in the
future. E-filing – combined with the collection and storage of an
applicant’s digital photograph, signature, and fingerprint – allows the BCIS to
produce a high quality immigration document with special security
features. Applications that can be filed online are forms I-765
(Application for Employment Authorization) and I-90 (Application for Replacement
of Green Card). These two forms represent approximately 30% of the total number
of benefit applications filed with BCIS annually.

E-filing Applications

E-filing is quick, easy and convenient for applicants because it allows
them, or their representatives, to complete and submit applications at any time,
from any computer with Internet access. Upon completion of the e-filing session,
customers will receive instant electronic confirmation that the application was
received. Customers can then schedule themselves for an appointment to visit an
Application Support Center for collection of a digital photograph, signature,
and fingerprint.

For those who file electronically, BCIS confirms the identity of the
customer early in the application process. BCIS also electronically
collects a photograph, signature, and fingerprint for the individual.
These biometrics are stored and can be used later for verification of the
person’s identity.

Customers whose applications are approved receive high quality immigration
documents with special security features produced from BCIS’ centralized card
production facility.

BCIS intends to add electronic filing capabilities for additional forms in
the Fall of 2003. Additional forms include: Form I-129, Petition for
Nonimmigrant Worker; Form I-131, Application for Travel Document; Form I-140,
Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change
Nonimmigrant Status; Form I-821, Application for Temporary Protected Status; and
Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing.

Filing instructions and eligibility information for e-filing are available
at www.bcis.gov.

Online Status Check

Last year, the BCIS expanded its e-services by introducing “Case Status
Online”. Customers who have a receipt number for an e-filed application or
an application or petition filed at a Service Center can check the status of
their pending case online through the website www.bcis.gov and avoid prolonged waits on the
phone or at a local office.

It is estimated that more than 30,000 customers take advantage of this
service every day. Those filing electronically will also be able to take
advantage of this remarkable service.

Forms Online

The website also provides information and forms online for users to download
free of charge. Customers are able to print out the forms, complete them
and mail them to the appropriate office for adjudication.

Today, the online form catalog is the most used feature of the BCIS Website,
with almost 1 million of the nearly 2.8 million visitors per month downloading
forms.